Full Step Jeff Nickels...are they really that scarce?

Gemini

I am not much into moderns but I was just checking some prices in the coin paper (N/N) and a 1989-P full step MS-65 Jeff was listed at $75.00 not bad for amodern coin.

Curious I went to e-bay and couldn't find any of this date for sale in MS-65 with full steps.

Can someone familiar with this series elaborate on the rarity of these later date full steps...

clackamas

For some dates, yes, they really are that scarce. Moden Jeffs don't come nice, they are beat to hell before you even open the roll.

Gemini

Thanks for your reply clackamas...I agree most of the Jeffs come with terrible mushy strikes for sure.

But what bothers me is most of all the other dates around the 1989-P date are only $25.00 in full step MS-65 by comparison though. Why is this?

Is the price so much higher because is it is of a scarcer mintage ? and if the mintage is comparible to those dates around the 1989-P what determines this date to be so much more ? Is this date exceptionally notorious for being badly struck?

I have the Breen book but the Jeff mintage figures stop short of the 1989-P date.
Is this date scarcer when compared to the other late Jeff dates?

Does anyone have the mintage figures of dates on either side of the 1989-P as well as this date also?

Thanks Don

NIckelCollector

Don:

Mintage figures for Jeffersons from 1976 and on are 300 - 700 million per year per mint. Just about all the coins minted after 1971 are available in 5 steps. Some are tougher like the 1981P. Many of the jeffersons from the 1970 & 1980's are scarce in 6 full steps and should command a premium.

I would suggest getting "The jefferson NIckel Analyst" by Bernard Nagengast 2nd edition. You may want to join Full step nickel club @ fullstepnickel.com. The book is available there through a link. Both of these will be helpful if you plan to collect full steps.

Frank

cladking

All of the Jeffersons dated after 1984 or so are pretty easy to get with full steps.
The '89 is no exception. Perhaps much of the reason for this difference is that
the coin is tough in MS-65. The mint set coins come marked up and the BU rolls
come with poor strikes and marked up. Don't take the price guides too seriously
for any moderns. These guides tend to be speculative and way out of date. These
are very small markets with small demand and tiny supplies.

wingedliberty

The 50's and 60's are tough in FS.


Brian.

Gemini

Thank you NickelColletor CladKing and WingedLiberty for your replies. Your comments were very helpful.
Don

coppercoins

From what I understand 1964 is nearly impossible to find with full steps even though it is an extremely common date with very high mintage. I've heard it has something to do with minting them for more than a year (with the 1964 date).

Gilbert

I believe I've read (according to Nagengast) the early Jeffersons are tough in full steps because of the design; The obverse high points are directly opposite the steps. I guess as technology advanced (better dies) and a slight lowering of the relief increased the step definition.